Miss Universe judge resigns ahead of pageant, claims Top 30 ‘pre-selected’ by ‘impromptu jury’

Omar Harfouch, a well‑known judge on the Miss Universe panel, quit the jury just days before the 78th pageant, set to start on Nov. 21.

In a short Instagram Story, Harfouch said the Top 30 finalists had already been picked by a “secret jury” long before any official voting began. He claimed some people in that group had personal ties to the contestants, raising a conflict of interest.

The judge said he learned about the alleged pre‑selection through social media, not from the Miss Universe Organization. When he asked for an explanation, the organization posted a list of names involved but gave no details on what they did, which Harfouch said was a “tactical move to silence criticism.”

After a heated exchange with Miss Universe CEO Raul Rocha, Harfouch stepped away from the judging panel and cancelled the music performance he had planned for the show. He called the process a “charade” and urged the organization to be more transparent.

The Miss Universe Organization has denied the claims, saying it has no “impromptu jury” and that all evaluations follow its established, supervised procedures. The organization welcomed Harfouch’s exit, noting he had chosen not to continue with the panel.

This controversy comes after earlier drama, when Miss Universe executive Nawat Itsaragrisil was dismissed after a confrontation with Miss Mexico that caused several contestants to leave a pre‑pageant event.

Fans and contestants alike are watching closely as the Miss Universe pageant approaches, hoping the judging process stays fair and clear.

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